Self-igniting gas-burner.



UNITED STATES Fatented August 4, 1903 PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAV A. W. BARKOWSKY, OF GOVYANDA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GOTVANDA NOVELTY COMPANY, OF GOWANDA, NEW YORK.

SELF-IGNITING GAS-BURNER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 735,196, dated August 4, 1903.

Application filed May 25, 1903. Serial No. 158,601. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAV A. W. BAR- KOWSKY, a subject of the German Emperor, and a resident of Gowanda, in the county of Oattaraugus and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Self- Igniting Gas-Burners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to a self-igniting gas -burner of that type in which the gas is caused to impinge against an igniting body or substance which ignites the gas by reason of the contact of the latter with said material. Burners of this class are provided with a pilot-tube for directing the gas against the igniting material and a controlling valve or cock by which the gas can be admitted to the pilot-tube and ig'nited, then directed to the burner and ignited from the pilot-flame, and then cut off from the pilot-tube. In or-' der to insure reliable, quick, and uniform action, theigniting material, which usually consists of a platinum sponge treated with certain chemicals, must be kept free or clean from any of the ingredients or elements of the gas which would tend to clog or foul it. For that purpose a filter has been provided in the burner, through whichthe gas passes on its way to the pilot-tube.

One object of the present invention is to still further prevent the clogging or fouling of the pilot-tube and igniting material by deposits of substances carried by the gas, and for that purpose the burner is provided with means for opening the pilot-tube to the atmosphere when the gas is cut off, so that air can circulate freely'through the pilot-tube at all times, except when the valve is shifted to admit gas to it for the purpose of igniting the flame. I

Another object of the invention is to guard against leakage of gas into the pilot-tube.

Another object of the invention is to arrange the gas filter or purifier of the burner in such manner that it is always in communication with the gas-supply and filled with gas, thus avoiding the delay caused in expelling air from the filter and insuring quicker and more certain action of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide the controlling valve or cock with operating means which acts alternately to ignite and extinguish the flame at successive actuations of the device, thus makingit unnecessary for a person using the burner to have any special or intimate knowledge of its action.

In the accompanying drawings,'Figure l is an elevation of a self-igniting gas-burner of the incandescent type embodying the invention, showing the position of the controllingvalve and its actuating-lever when the burner is lighted. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section in line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, in line 3 3, Fig. 5, showing the valve in position to admit gas to the pilot-tube. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the valve-chamber in line 44, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section in line 5 5, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the filter in line 6 6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a bottom plan View, on an enlarged scale, of the valve detached. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation showing the position of the valve when the gas is extinguished and also showing the valve-actuat ing leverset ready to open the pilot and ignite the flame when it is next actuated. Fig. 9 is a crosssection of the valve in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a vertical section through the trap-passage in line 10 10, Fig. 4.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the burner-tube of an ordinary incandescent or other gas-burner, B the pilot-tube, and O a support or holder secured to the upper end of the pilot-tube and adapted to hold the igniting material above the upper end of the pilot-tube, so that the gas issuing from the latter will impinge upon and be ignited by said igniting material. The igniting material may be of the character set forth in United States Letters Patent No. 668,367, issued to me February 19, 1901.

The burner and pilot tubes are secured in any suitable manner to the upper portion of .the burner base or body D, which is provided 'at its lower end with a screw-threaded nipple d forv attaching it to a gas-supply pipe or fixture. The body D is provided with an annularfilter or purifier chamber E, which communicates at its lower end by one or more openings or ports e with the nipple (1, so that the gas has access to the filter-chamber at all times. The filter-chamber contains a filtering material F, through which the gas percolates and which removes from the gas all liquid and solid matter which would gum or clog the pilot-tube and the igniting material. The impurities vary in different gases and the filtering material is so selected as to-best purify the particular gas being burned. A mixture of caustic soda and asbestos fiber or human hair produces good results.

The burner-body is provided above the filter-chamber with a chamber or seat G for the valve or plug G, which controls the burnertube and pilot-tube.

H represents the lower part of the main gas-passage extending through the filterchamber and connecting the interior of the nipple (1 directly with the valve-chamber.

H represents the continuation of the passage through the upper portion of the burnerbody and connecting the valve-chamber with the burner-tube.

I represents the inlet portion of the gas passage, which connects the filter-chamber with the pilot-tube. The passage I is arranged on one side of the main gas-passage H and extends from the upper portion of the filter-chamber to the lower portion of the valve-chamber or seat.

J represents a substantially U-shaped passage which is arranged in the burner-body below the valve-seat and which has a vertical portion j, which opens in the valve-seat, avertical portion j, which connects with the pilot-tube, and a horizontal portion j This passage, which descends from the valve-seat before it ascends toward the pilot-tube, forms a trap, which prevents any gas which might leak into the valve-chamber from passing readily to the pilot-tube, for the gas being lighter than the air will not readily descend into the passage J.

The valve G is preferably of the conicalplug type and is seated and adapted to turn in the valve chamber or seat G. The valve is provided with a transverse main passage Z, which, in the position of the valve shown in Fig. 2, connects the parts H H of the main-gas passage, so that the gas can pass directly from the supply-pipe to the burnertube. The plug is further provided with a passage Z of inverted-U shape which, in the position of the plug shown in Figs. 3 and 5,connects the passage I, leading from the filter-chamber, with the trap-passage J, connecting the valvechamber with the pilot-tube, so that the gas can pass from the filter-chamber to the pilottube. The plug is also provided at its large end with a notch or recess Z which extends inwardly from the end of the plug and connects the trap-passage J and the pilot-tube with the atmosphere in all positions of the plug, except that shown in Figs. 3 and 5, in

which the valve connects the filter-chamber with the pilot-tube. When the valve is in the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the main or burner passage is closed, as well as the passage leading to the pilot-tube, so that no gas passes to either the burner-tube or pilottube. In this position the air-passage Z of the plug places the pilot-tube in communication with the atmosphere, so that the air can circulate through the pilot-tube and clear the same of gas, thereby preventing the deposit of impurities which would clog or foul the pilot-tube. When the gas is to be ignited, the valve is turned to the left to.the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5, thereby connecting the filter-chamber with the passage, leading to the pilot-tube, so that gas passes from the filter-chamber through the pilot-tube and is ignited at the upper end of the latter by the igniting material. In this position of the valve the air-passage does not connect with the pilot-tube. The valve is next turned partly to the right--that is, to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2-which movement first connects the parts H H of the main gas-pas-' ag so that gas passes to the burner-tube and is ignited from the pilot-flame. The continuation of this movement then cuts ofi communication between the filter-chamber and pilot-tube and extinguishes the pilotflame. The air-passage is at the same time connected with the pilot-tube, so that the latter is opened to the atmosphere. The valve can be turned to the several positions indicated by an ordinary hand piece or lever secured to the valve, in which case some knowledge of or familiarity with the device would be required to properly operate the valve.

In order to simplify the manipulation of the valve, the following operating mechanism is preferably employed: M represents a spring which is secured at one end to the body of the burner. The free end of the spring bears against an arm m on the valve when the latter is in the position shown in Fig. 1. Then the valve is turned to the left to ignite the pilot-flame, this spring M is strained, and when the valve is released the spring returns it to the position shown in Fig. 1 to ignite the burner-flame and extinguish the pilot flame. The spring is prevented from turning the valve farther to the right by a stop shoulder or projection m, which the spring strikes. This spring acts automatically and prevents a person using the burner from leaving the valve in the position in whichthe gas enters the pilot-tube while the burner is in operation.

N represents a valve-operating lever which is loosely mounted to swing on a pivot n at one end of the valve. The lever is held on its pivot by suitable means, such as a nut and washer n 02 and is preferably provided with adepending pull chain or cord a The valvelever is provided with a tailpiece or arm 0, which is adapted to engage with either of two pinsp p, projecting from the valve on opposite sides of said tailpiece.

Q Q represent two springs which are socured at their lower ends to the burner-body and have their upper free ends arranged on opposite sides of the valve-lever and adapted to bear against the opposite sides thereof. The springs are preferably secured to a dovetailed block g, which is removably held in a transverse dovetailed groove q in the body of the burner. The springs may be secured to the burner in any other suitable manner, but the described connection is desirable, as it permits the springs to be readily attached to and detached from the burner. Then the valve is in the position shown in Fig. 8, in which the burner and pilot tubes are discon nected from the gas supply passage, the spring Q bears against the pin 19 on the valve, and its upper end is thereby held from exerting any pressure on the lever, which is held over to the left by the other spring Q.

When it is desired to ignite the gas, the chain is pulled, which, on account of the position of the lever, swings the lever downwardly and toward the left. The tailpiece on the lever, which bears against the pin 1) on the valve, turns the latter and the valve to the left to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5 and connects the pilot-tube with the filterchamber. When the valve is thus turned to the left, the arm m on the valve engages and strains the spring N, and as soon as the chain is released the said spring N returns the valve to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to ignite the burnerflame and extinguish the pilot-flame. The movement of the valve to the left is arrested when the valve is in position to connect the trap with the filter-chamher by the engagement of the arm m with a stop shoulder or projection g on the burnerbody. In this position of the valve the pin 1) on the valve engages the spring Q, and holds the latter from exerting any pressure on the lever, while the pin 9 on the valve is lowered out of engagement with the upper end of the spring Q, which then exerts its pressure on the valve-lever and throws the latter over to the right, as shown in Fig. 1. In this position of the lover a downward pull on the chain will swing the lever downwardly to the right, so that its tailpiece will engage the pin 19 on the valve and turn the latter to the position shown in Fig. 8 to extinguish the flame. The movement of the valve to the right is limited by cooperating stops r r on the valve and burner-body, respectively. When the lever is released, it is thrown over to the left by the spring Q, as before ex= plained. By the described mechanism for operating the valve it is impossible for a person to improperly operate the device, for when the flame is extinguished the lever is in position to operate the valve to direct the gas to the pilot-tube and when the burner is in operation the lever is in position to extinguish the flame.

While the invention is described in connection with a self-igniting gas-burner involving a material which ignites the gas by reason of the physical or chemical action of the same on the gas, it will be apparent that the improvements are applicable to burners provided with a mechanical igniting device and that some of the described improvements are also applicable to other burners having a pilot-tube.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a gas-burner, the combination of a gas-supply passage, a pilot-tube, and a valve which in one position connects said pilot-tube with said gas-supply passage and in another position disconnects said pilot-tube and gassupply passage and opens said pilot-tube to the atmosphere, substantially as set forth.

2. In a gas-burner, the combination of a burner-tube, a pilot-tube, a gas-supply passage, and a valve which in one position connects said pilot-tube with said gas-supplypassage, and in another position disconnects said pilot-tube from said gas-supply passage, connects said burner-tube with said gas-supply passage, and also opens said pilot-tube to the atmosphere, substantially as set forth.

3. In a gas-burner, the combination of a body, a valve-chamber in said body, a gassupply passage, a pilot-tube, a passage leading to said pilot-tube, and a valve which in one position connects said gas-supply passage and said passage leading to said pilot'- tube, said valve having a passage which connects said pilot-tube with the atmosphere when said pilot-tube is disconnected from said gas-supply passage, substantially as set forth.

4. In a gas-burner, the combination of a body, a burner-tube, a pilot-tube, a filterchamber, a gas-supply passage with which said filter-chamber connects, a passage lead-' ing from said filter-chamber to said valvechamber, a passage leading from said valvechamber to said pilot-tube, and a valve in said valve-chamber which in one position connects said gas-supply passage and said burner-tube and in another position connects said passage leading from the filterchamber with the passage leading to said pilot-tube, said valve having a passage which connects said pilot-tube with the atmosphere when said valve is in position to disconnect said filter-chamber from said pilot-tube, substantially as set forth.

5. In a gas-burner, a body provided with a ICC main gas-supply passage, a pilot-tube, and a connecting said valve-chamber and said pilottube, and a valve, substantially as set forth.

7. In a gas-burner, the combination of a pilot-tube, a gas-supply passage, an oscillating valve controlling said gas-supply passage and said pilot-tube, a valve-operating device movable independently of the valve, and a spring mechanism which acts automatically to throw said device alternately to different positions,whereby said device and valve are turned in opposite directions by successive operations of said device, substantially as set forth.

8. In a gas-burner, the combination of a gas-supply passage, a pilot-tube, an oscillating valve controlling said gas-supply passage and pilot-tube, a valve-operating lever movable independently of said valve, a part connected to said valve and which is engaged by said lever to turn the valve in one direction, a part connected to said valve and which is engaged by the lever to turn said valve in the opposite direction, and a spring mechanism for automatically moving said lever to alternately engage said parts connected to said valve, substantially as set forth.

9. In a gas-burner, the combination of a body provided with a gas-supply passage, 2. pilot-tube,an oscillating valve controlling said gas-supply passage and said pilot-tube, an s cillating valve-operating lever, a projection on said valve which is engaged by said lever to turn said valve in one direction, a projection on said valve which is engaged by said Isver to turn said valve in the opposite direction, and springs which act on said lever in opposite directions to swing the latter alternately to opposite sides of a central position, said projections cooperating with said springs to alternately hold said springs from exerting their action on said lever, substantially as set forth.

10. In a gas-burner, the combination of a body provided with a gas-supply passage, a pilot-tube, an oscillating valve controlling said gas-supply passage and said pilot-tube, a valve-operating lever pivoted to swing independently of said valve, a projection on said valve which is engaged by said lever to turn said valve in one direction, a spring which acts to turn said valve partially in the opposite direction, a second projection on said valve which is engaged by said lever to turn said valve farther in said second direction, and springs which act to move said lever in opposite directions and with which said projections on said valve cooperate to alternately prevent the action of said springs on said lever, substantially as set forth.

\Vitness my hand this 23d day ofMay, 1903.

GUSTAV A. W. BARKOWSKY. Witnesses:

F. E. REDFIELD, J. F. J. BOECKEL. 

